Category: Other

1. Manchester doubles amount of motorcycle parking, and it’s FREE

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 23rd Mar 2021

   The number of dedicated parking places for motorcycles in Manchester car parks has more than doubled – and they are all free! A review of motorcycle parking within the city showed that demand for parking exceeded the supply, and as a result a considerable number of motorcyclists were parking unofficially, and sometimes illegally.   

   There are now 127 dedicated motorcycle spaces; a mixture of on-street (63 spaces) and covered car parks (64 spaces), and full details are available on the council’s website at: https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/500346/city_centre_parking/332/motorcycles    

   The measures were informed by consultation with various motorcycle community groups and organisations such as the British Motorcycle Federation and Motorcycle Action Group. They told us that having spaces in car parks and on the ground or first floors, making sure they were well-lit and having CCTV coverage was important, along with anchor points or rails for chaining bikes to. All of these suggestions have been adopted.   

   A grace period informing motorcyclists of the new provisions will run from 12/03/21 – 6/05/21, where motorcyclists who are parked illegally will receive an information leaflet informing them of the new parking provisions across the city centre.  During the grace period motorcyclists will not receive a parking ticket. However, after the grace period ends, MCC will enforce penalties (£70 penalty, discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days of issue) for motorcyclists parking in the wrong place. This includes designated cycle parking spaces and racks. Motorcyclists can park in a normal pay and display bays anywhere across the city, provided that they purchase a pay and display ticket. It is advisable to write 'M' for motorbike and the registration number of the bike on the ticket before attaching this to the motorbike, to discourage theft.  

   A motorcycle parking policy will be produced in order to finalise and formalise the changes.

   

2. What’s Happening in the Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market?

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 22nd Mar 2021

   What’s Happening in the Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market?

   Elon Musk has a personal aversion to motorcycles. He tells a story of a “nearly fatal” accident which has put him off the transport. Tesla’s main focus, and where they’ve made their name, has been four-wheel cars. The technology they’ve developed in their pursuit of excellent electric vehicles means it probably wouldn’t take much for them to eventually be a significant name in the electric scooter and motorcycle market should they decide to enter into it. For now, though, there are other people making up the landscape.  

   Investors

   One motivation for the development of electric two-wheelers is transport within cities. With many global cities looking to pedestrianise centres and reduce air pollution, electric scooters and bikes are attracting the interest of start-ups and businesses like Uber. There’s long-term interest in the development of this technology should cities and nations opt to fundamentally change transportation normalcy then it should pay off. It’s the natural tide-change which businesses seek to push or benefit from. The same happens in every industry. One example would be online casinos. Investors went in early online casinos and online casinos invested in helpful technology. It’s an industry which began to pop up in the 1990s with the advent of the internet and grew well but steadily. 

   It seems that Lime, who Uber have invested in and to whom they sold their intellectual property to develop the technology, are interested in the electric scooters, especially, and their function as a rental transport.

   For the electric motorcycle, there’s a middling demand. Yes, there is obviously scope for them to be used as a primary vehicle, one which commuters use or people use to go to the shops, etc. Despite this type of transport receiving criticism and scepticism for how far they can take, they will, in general, always get the rider far enough. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman proved that. However, primarily, motorcyclists use them for joy. They are a hobby, as much as anything. They are part of an identity. Electric motorcycles do not have the turn of speed nor the music of a fossil-fuel powered one. This is one area which might need some creative marketing beyond the obvious turn towards environmental concerns. 

   Manufacturers

   As for those actually making the scooters and bikes, Harley Davidson, Honda, and Yamaha take the majority of the market share. These are household names. Indeed, Harley Davidson’s image as a chopper offers an interesting contrast to the above image of riding for joy. Their products, though, are expensive. It’s roughly $30,000 for one of their electric motorcycles. This is out the price range for a lot of customers. Honda and Yamaha, with KTM and Piaggio, are looking to standardise equipment and technology, including swappable batteries, to help consumers and the market.

   This is where the market currently has its issue. Everything, so far, is too expensive for the manufacturers to consider mass-producing vehicles and there’s not quite the fully developed need for them quite yet, but it will likely all be available and recognisable soon.

    

   article supplied

3. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY APPEAL RAFFLE AND MUSEUM REOPENING PLANS

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 10th Mar 2021

   The National Motorcycle Museum team wants to thank everyone who has given to both of our Covid-19 appeal raffles over the last year. As promised, following the recent announcement of HM Government’s “roadmap” out of restrictions, the funds raised are being used directly for the purpose of reopening the museum to visitors.

   At the present time, and if the “roadmap” goes to plan, we intend to reopen the museum to visitors on Monday 17th May 2021.

   INITIAL OPENING FROM MAY 2021.

   Restrictions permitting, the museum collection, shop and restaurant will reopen on Monday 17th May 2021. Please visit www.thenmm.co.uk for further updates including opening hours.

   HELP US TO RETURN TO NORMAL 7 DAY OPENING.

   Whilst the funds raised so far will allow us to reopen in a limited way on 17/05/21, at the time of writing we have still only raised just over half of our original £500k reopening target.

   As from Monday 21st June 2021, we would like to return to our normal 7 day a week opening hours.

   Therefore we want to remind everyone about our ‘Museum Triumph over Adversity Recovery Appeal Raffle” which will help us achieve that aim.

   Details of this important appeal can be seen below, and special thanks must go to our friends at Triumph Motorcycles for donating the brand new 2021 Triumph Trident 660 as a first prize.

   1st Prize: Brand new 2021 Triumph Trident 660cc motorcycle.

   Stunning new model donated by our friends at Triumph Motorcycles.

   2nd Prize: 1978 Triumph Trident T160 750cc motorcycle.

   Low mileage and only one previous owner.

   3rd Prize: 1956 Triumph Tiger T100 500cc motorcycle.

   Fresh from restoration in the museum’s workshop.

   Images of all three prizes are attached for media use.

   The prize draw for the “Triumph Over Adversity” appeal raffle will take place on Friday 25th June 2021 at The National Motorcycle Museum. Tickets cost £6.00 each and can be purchased online by visiting www.thenmm.co.uk

   COVID-19 ROADMAP.

   Like the rest of the UK, we are hoping that HM Government’s “roadmap” out of the current pandemic goes to plan, according to the dates set out. 

   However, given the ongoing uncertainty, we will regularly update reopening details on our website www.thenmm.co.uk and our social media channels.

    

   
   

    

4. CIAO FAUSTO ❤️

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 23rd Feb 2021

   The news we would have never wanted to give, and that unfortunately we are forced to share with all of you. After nearly two months battling against Covid, Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away, few days after turning 60.   
   
   All of Gresini Racing are close to Fausto’s family in support: his wife Nadia and the four children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese... as well as everyone who had the chance to get to know him and love him throughout the years.

5. How to Plan the Ultimate Biking Road Trip

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 22nd Feb 2021

   Biking is an excellent and exciting way to travel and really get a feel for the land and the road. You will have the freedom to go so much further than even a car can take you and will, of course, be able to enjoy the open air. Going on your first-long distance bike road trip can be an absolute dream and might be enhanced if you follow this guide.

   Improve Your Bike Gear

   If you love biking but have not yet gone on an actual road trip that lasts days, then you likely don’t have all the equipment that you will need to make your trip comfortable and exciting. A motorbike alone is not enough. You need to prepare for the elements, and that includes if your bike is suitable for long-distance. You may need to upgrade your gear before you head out.

   The best solution is to slowly start purchasing all of these items in advance.

   · Waterproof clothing

   · Spare parts and repair tools

   · Waterproof bags

   · Rain covers

   · LED flashing lights (tail lights and headlights)

   · Your camping gear (tent, sleeping bag liner, air mattress, and pillow, cooking utensils, etc.)

   · Travel electronics

   · NOAA weather radio

   · 2-way radio

   · And more

   The gear that you get will depend on the distance you intend to ride and, of course, where you intend to ride. You can save a lot on costs during the trip, for example, by camping instead of renting out a room, but at the same time, this will require special camping equipment that can pack up small (a luxury that can be quite costly). Work out how much on average both scenarios will cost to figure out how much you need to request from your chosen loan company.

   Staying Safe

   Though you can travel on your own, it is always better to travel with others. If none of your friends are interested in such a trip, then see if there are groups or organizations of people that are. These groups often organize bike road trips (both short and long-distance). It’s a great way to stay safe and make friends with people who love biking as much as you do!

   Regardless of whether you travel alone or with others, it is always important to plan checkpoints for yourself and to follow the safety tips outlined by Motorbike Writer. You can share your location with a friend or family member at home throughout your trip, or you can just check in when you reach certain checkpoints so that they know where you are. Keeping your phone and an extra battery pack on you is also a good tip to use.

   Choosing Your Route

   You can choose any road on your trip, but there are a lot of people that love biking road trips just like you, and they will have marked out top routes to take depending on your level of experience and fitness, and even fun things you can do with your partner if you’re doubling up. This is the best way to head out on your first trip. You can stay safer, see top sights in the area, and might meet a few others out there on the road. 

    

   article supplied